Henna inspired

I must say that these cupcakes were a roller coaster of emotions! When my friend told me that she was doing an Indian-themed baby shower, complete with a henna blessing on the belly of the momma-to-be, I was instantly excited. I hopped right onto the computer to do some research, practiced a few designs and honestly couldn't wait to do them!
As the day drew closer and closer, however, the more nervous I got. I was really apprehensive about my henna-ing skills... But as I piped one henna cupcake, then another, then another, I lost my fear and actually made up a few designs of my own. Boy did I impress myself :) I think they turned out beautiful! (Of course, my perfectionist side made me want to re-do each and every one of them until the lines were the exact same thickness, equally spaced and proportioned. I finally had to give in, and learn to love the imperfections that are just plain ol' human nature.) I'm very proud of these, they're quite stunning!

Star Wars- take 2!

Today little Callan celebrated his 1st birthday! His mommy is one of my good friends and she and Callan's daddy have been planning a Star Wars party for a while now. After much deliberation, we finally decided to go with a couple fondant characters- Luke, Princess Leia, Yoda, R2D2, and Darth Vader; Chewbacca for Callan's smash cupcake; a few Star Wars stencils (provided by them) and the rest simply frosted.

I guess I'm pretty happy with how Darth came out, but he doesn't truly satisfy my perfectionist nature... I do really like Leia, I love both her and Luke's simple little faces!



Apparently Callan had a wonderful birthday and smashed away at his c'cake (as you can see)! I'm guessing that he liked it from how much is left on the tray. I just hope he didn't eat the wrapper...


Oh, by the way, did I mention that this was also take 2 on gluten free? These were so much more moist (the secret is in the sour cream, yes, I said sour cream) and they were even filled with cream cheese filling to top it all off... These were so good! I know I said that last time, but I guess I didn't know what I was talking about then. This time I REALLY mean it ;)

When it rains, it pours!- WARNING: LONG POST :)

So today was my largest set of orders to date. I had 6 dozen (variety, and of course I just couldn't keep it simple) for my old school in Manor and 2 and a half dozen for a baby shower. EIGHT AND A HALF DOZEN CUPCAKES! That doesn't seem like much until you do the math: that's, wait a minute... 8 times 10 is 80, 8 times 2 is 16, 16 plus 80 plus another 6 for the half dozen= 102 cupcakes! See?

Ok, so I was up until 2:30 last night frosting and sprinkling for the big order. They are the Presidential Meadows Eagles and are, needless to say, very patriotic. So, I made 2 dozen red velvet (piped full of a cream cheese filling this time- yum) with cream cheese frosting, decorated with blue sprinkles and stars; 2 dozen vanilla (the batter was layered red, white and blue) with strawberry buttercream, decorated with red sprinkles and stars; and 2 dozen of the cookies & cream ones I love so much, decorated with gold sprinkles. Really?! All she asked for was a simple variety and I have to do filling and fresh strawberry buttercream and layered red, white and blue cakes... I was so busy (and tired to the bone), that I didn't take pictures of them all in their boxes- what!? But it looks like all my hard work paid off because I heard they were a hit and many of my old collegues took my cards and information for future orders :D

Cookies & cream

Filled red velvet

Red velvet


For the baby shower, I was excited to try a few new things... But as I was assembling, I was so frustrated when I came out short- I was missing 2 decorations and couldn't figure out why...

I finally gave up trying to figure it out and ended up with one that said "Mommy" to match the one that said "Olivia" and another set of diaper pins. Very adorable, but it was still gnawing at the back of my mind. What had I forgotten?

About 5 minutes ago, I remembered that I had wanted to do 2 nesting birds- DOH! I really wanted to try those little guys out. They looked so darling with their toasted coconut nests and little beaks... I guess I'll have to save them for next time, which is fine, unless you are super impatient... like me.

Sweet, peeking babies

Caterpillars- very hungry, I'm sure ;)


Half dozen box


Mommy & Olivia's baby shower box

Gluten-free livin'

My first attempt at a gluten-free birthday! My friend, Becky, was having a party for her 3 year old daughter and their entire family is gluten-free... So I had to do some reasearch to find a good recipe for red velvet, gluten-free, yummy cupcakes. The recipe I found turned out good, but the response was pretty good, super cute, but a little dry. Which, apparently is the case with most gluten-free baked goods (according to Becky). After doing some research, I've discovered that you can substitute sour cream or yogurt for some of the liquid to help make them more moist. I will be trying out that alteration soon, as her son will turn 1 in a couple of weeks!

Baby, baby

I L-O-V-E doing the decorations for baby showers. They are so sweet! I think I like the little girl ones best, because you can be more cute-sy :) This one was for a little girl who made her arrival on the 17th of June, Lilia Mae (what a great name), and they held off on her shower until they could actually meet her. This gave me the opportunity to work on my "handwriting" skills. I think her name turned out fabulous, but the 2 in 2011 I'm not as pleased with. Can you say perfectionist...? I stuck with the same decorations I've done before, for a little more practice. I have another baby shower this Friday though, where I'm going to try some new ones. Think babies hiding under blankets and peeking out of flowers ;)

Lilia Mae & tiny feet


Peas in a pod & June 17, 2011


Rubber ducky & diaper pins


All boxed up and ready to go!